Music Is My Weapon
Caesar had his legions, Napoleon had his rifles, we have our music.
Thursday, May 25, 2006
He Poos Clouds (see also: crap is wonderful)
No, Owen Pallett doesn't have some kind of obsession with crap, at least not the physical kind. I recently ran into him at the Haldern Pop Spiegelzelt tour, where he did his magic on stage with nothing but a violin, looping pedal, and microphone. Oh, and the colorful and painfully beautiful art show presented by his friend, Steph, on an overhead projector. As if watching Owen perform on stage wasn't entertaining enough. He filled me in on the music scene in Toronto, summed up by one phrase: interesting crap. Which he pretty much feels is the savior of all things music and makes the scene in Toronto the "best in the world."Owen's played with a few Canadian bands in the past, most notably Picastro and Arcade Fire (FFO, give "Many Lives --> 49 MP" a listen), but his latest project is very nearly solo - and goes by the title Final Fantasy. Questions about the name choice are rampant, but needless to say Owen doesn't have a video game fetish. He does, however, manage to make one violin sound like a legion of sound, looping one melody over another, the occasional piano thrown in on songs like "This Lamb Sells Condos". On his latest release, He Poos Clouds (Blocks/Tomlab), Owen recruits the talents of a small band of friends, bringing viola, violincello, trombone, accordion, harpsichord, bass, and percussion to round a performance to remind you of the magic of 16th century pages or fables starring wood nymphs and river imps ("If I Were a Carp" could accompany such an adventure). Sweet melodies plead for attention on "I"m Afraid of Japan," with some of the most delicate lyrics on the record, while "Song, Song, Song" gives a percussive boom that easily makes it one of the most recognizable.
Owen's goals for the record were (from Tomlab):
1. A set of songs that attempt to modernize each of the eight D&D schools of magic
2. Every song will be written for string quartet and voice
3. Nobody who listens to it will ever again entertain thoughts of suicide.
This is pop music for those who enjoy a little more musical talent than singing about the dance floor and "checking up on it" - although Owen feels those without musical training sometimes make the best musicians. After all, crap is wonderful.
Saturday, May 06, 2006
Edge Magazine's Choice, Stage of Existence
Stage Of Existence also known as SOE has grown into a widely liked heavy melodic monster. You can listen to the evidence on their radio friendly demo "The Demon". The modern hard rock style combines technical drum chops added to the emotional guitar leads and intricate rhythms filled by thick bass licks and exceptional vocal melodies making this band a real powerful trio. Steadily gigging for over a year in the Austin, Stage of Existence has built a loyal fan base. Scanning through Austin's Chronicle you might find them playing Saturdays at such venues as "Dirty Dog Bar", "Redrum", or "The Vibe". Stage of Existence has been winning fans over one at a time. Stage of Existence is currently ranked #1 in Austin, 4th in Texas and fluxuants in the top 40 of all artists on Zebox.com. Not only are their page views making them popular on Zebox.com but you should read the comments about them on their myspace.com website. They have fans all over the world supporting the sound this band creates! This band is moving up after debuting September 20th 2005 on Local Licks Live with Loris Lowe and getting air play again January 3rd 2006 their plan is to build even a greater fan base by going out on the road and exposing more people to their madness. T-shirts, Demos and Bumper stickers are selling like crazy it is just amazing on what great reception this band has received. They are honored to be catapulted through the airwaves.Still not convinced? This is The Edge Magazine's, Austin Readers Poll "Best of 2005 Best Alternative Band"